Amylose storage

While starch is the major structural polysaccharide, plant energy storage and regulation utilize a combination of similar polysaccharides that are referred to as starch. Starch can be divided into two general structures, largely linear amylose (structure 9.17) and largely branched amylopectin (structure 9.18). 

Amylose is one component of starch, which is the most abundant carbohydrate storage reserve in plants. Carbohydrates such as starch function as a reservoir of energy for later metabolic use. It is found in many different plant organs, including seeds, fruits, tubers, and roots, where it is used as a source of energy during periods of dormancy and regrowth. 

Starch Amylose Amylopectin Homo- Homo- (al—>4)Glc, linear (al—>4)Glc, with (a 1—>6)Glc branches every 24-30 residues 50-5,000 Up to 106 Energy storage in plants... 

The GBSS in leaves can be differentiated from those observed in storage tissue. As has been shown, the amylose content of starch can vary from 11% to 37% in storage tissue.203 In leaf or transistory starch, the amylose content is less than 15%. In pea, leaf starch amylose has a greater molecular weight than does storage starch... 

Figure 8.11 (a) Storage modulus (G ) versus time for 2.0% solution of nearly monodisperse amyloses... 

Figure 8.12 Temperature dependence of storage modulus (G ) development for 40% waxy maize starch and 5% amylose dispersions.158...

Figure 8.15 Storage modulus and tan6 values of rice starch gels (25% w/w) with varying amylose content.161...

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